Durham Region Health Department has been notified by the Ontario Ministry of Health that there will be a delay in shipment of Pfizer vaccine affecting delivery to Durham Region mass immunization clinics.
As a result of this delay, effective June 22, all clinics in Durham Region will move to offer Moderna for appointments booked by individuals 18 and older until additional Pfizer vaccine is received, said a region statement.
Individuals 12 to 17-years old will not be affected by this change and will be vaccinated with remaining Pfizer vaccine doses. Due to the delay in shipments of Pfizer vaccine, the Health Department’s current limited supply will be reserved for youth between the ages of 12 and 17 as Pfizer is the only vaccine approved in Canada for this age group. Youth who had an appointment booked at a mass immunization clinic that will now be offering Moderna vaccine will be contacted to have their appointment moved to a youth vaccination clinic offering Pfizer vaccine.
Earlier this month, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization announced recommendations indicating that if the mRNA vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) a person received as their first dose is not available, they can safely receive another mRNA vaccine. Both mRNA Covid-19 vaccines authorized for use in Canada work in the same way and are highly effective.
With increased cases of the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant of concern, it is crucial for all individuals to complete their vaccine series with a second dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to receive optimal level of protection. If you had Moderna or Pfizer for your first dose, you can safely receive either Moderna or Pfizer for your second dose; both offer strong protection against Covid-19.
If you have questions about mixing vaccines, information is available at www.durham.ca/covidvaccines. Clinic staff can also offer reassurance to help clients feel comfortable prior to receiving vaccine. Please remember that our vaccination clinic staff continue to serve the community with professionalism every day without any control over the supply of vaccine that they are given. Any abuse or harassment of staff will not be tolerated. For more information and updates on COVID-19 vaccine distribution in Durham Region, visit www.durham.ca/covidvaccines.
Pop-up Jabs: Second dose notice by email or text
Hot spot pop-up and mobile clinics held in April and May are rescheduling second dose clinics, at the same sites to provide earlier second dose appointments. Residents who attended the clinics for a first dose will be sent an earlier second dose appointment by email or text.
Durham Region Health Department said beginning Monday, June 21 at 8 a.m., all residents 18+ who received a first dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will be eligible to reschedule for an earlier second dose appointment at Durham Region Health Department mass immunization clinics, based on vaccine availability.
Second dose appointments must be a minimum 28 days following the first dose. Residents 18+ can reschedule their second dose appointment using the online booking system or by contacting the call centre at 1-888-444-5113.
If you received your first dose at the Ontario Tech Campus Ice Centre clinic please visit the Lakeridge Health website for information on earlier second dose appointments.
Residents 18+ who received a first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine are eligible to schedule their second dose appointment eight weeks following the first dose.
Residents 18+ can book their second dose appointment using the online booking system, by contacting the call centre at 1-888-444-5113 or through a pharmacy or health care provider.